Unless you grew up in upper Canada, Antarctica, Greenland, or northern Asia, chances are you have encountered a snake in your lifetime. Do you remember your first encounter with these slithering pests? Was it scary or did you observe it with child-like curiosity? Everyone views snakes differently. Some love them and would gladly keep one as a pet. Others are terrified of them and do everything in their power to avoid coming in contact with them. Regardless of how you feel about snakes, it stands to reason that you should avoid the ones that are dangerous. To help you identify which snakes are dangerous here in our Pensacola service area, here are a few things to consider.
How Many Snakes Live In Florida?
There are roughly 44 species of snakes that live in Florida. A large number of these pests also live here in Pensacola. Of the 44 that live in our state, only six are considered to pose a serious medical risk to human health. Here is how to identify each of these six snakes.
- Eastern Coral Snake: The eastern coral snake has smooth scales and a divided anal plate. You can further identify this reptile by its bright body color pattern of thick red and black interchanging sections and interposed thinner yellow stripes.
- Southern Copperhead: The southern copper head has a coppery-tan color on its head and in the patterns that run down its body. Built to blend into desert areas this reptile has a pattern consisting of tan sections and brown/copper bands that pinch slightly along the ridge of its back.
- Cottonmouth: The cottonmouth has an arrow-shaped head that appears triangular when viewed from above. This area reptile is born yellow and turns more greenish and finally black as it becomes fully matures. Each cottonmouth has white markings that extend from beneath each of its eyes to the corners of its jawline and a pale line above each of its eyes.
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: The eastern diamondback rattlesnake has a large pit between its nostrils and eyes on each side of its face with cat-like pupils. As its name suggests this reptile has blackish-grey, muddy gray, and olive green spots that make up a diamond pattern that runs down its body.
- Timber Rattlesnake: The timber rattlesnake has a large head, heavy body, and mean-looking eyes. This pest is gray and has brown to black v-shaped body bands and blotches that run down its body.
- Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake: The dusky pygmy rattlesnake has a heavy body and a dark line through each of its eyes. Running down its body are a number of roughly circular black and sometimes orange spots
The Danger Snakes Pose
Not all snake venom has the same effect. Most bites cause swelling around the affected area, pain and redness, and a burning sensation. Other effects of snake venom include dizziness, weakness, difficulty breathing, elevated heart rate, numbness, nausea, severe pain, diarrhea, and bleeding/bruising around the area of the bite.
What To Do About Snakes In And Around Your Home
If you are noticing an unusual number of snakes around your property or if you find one of these potentially dangerous reptiles inside your home, your first response should be to contact a professional. At EnSec, we use advanced trapping equipment and methodology to get snakes off properties and we have the tools needed to deter these pests from coming onto your yard or into your home in the future.
Call our team now to schedule an emergency service visit for your Pensacola property and find out more about our quality pest control plans.